Black Residents Physicians of Ontario
Message from Dr. Chantal Phillips, President of the Black Resident Physicians of Ontario
Dear BPAO members and colleagues,
Founded in 2018 and now a key sub-committee of the Black Physicians’ Association of Ontario (BPAO), the Black Resident Physicians of Ontario (BRPO) is dedicated to advocating for the interests of Black medical residents across Ontario, with a strong focus on equity and support.
Our mission is anchored in four foundational pillars, revised this past year: mentorship, wellness, advocacy, and governance. We believe these updated pillars will empower BRPO to better support residents, which is the core purpose of this initiative. Major changes aligned with these pillars include an increased focus on developing local BRPO chapters, reducing barriers to social events, and coordinated advocacy.
Historically, BRPO has operated under a leadership team spearheaded by a president who collaborates to establish priorities and organise events. While this governance model remains in place, we have shifted toward having leadership team members also act as co-leads for local BRPO chapters. This change aims to ensure Black resident physicians have access to events in their cities and can build communities with fewer transportation barriers. By increasing local connectivity through a stronger governance model, we hope to strengthen the BRPO community across the province.
We are also focused on creating relevant virtual province-wide events, such as our Wellness Circle Series, providing Black resident physicians with better access to safe and relatable mental health spaces without the burden of travel. Additionally, we have appointed a new Vice President of Advocacy and will be launching an advocacy topic for 2025. Together, we will amplify the voices of Black resident physicians on pressing issues and drive advocacy for systemic change. As we work collaboratively, let us empower one another, foster strong networks across city lines, and champion equity in healthcare for our communities.
If you are a Black medical resident or clinical fellow in Ontario not currently connected to our mailing list or your local WhatsApp group, please reach out to brpo@bpao.org to be added, so you can receive information about ongoing opportunities and future events.
Black residents across Canada can connect through a national Black Residents WhatsApp group by contacting info@blackphysicians.ca with your name and phone number.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chantal Phillips,
PGY2 in Public Health and Preventive Medicine
President of the Black Resident Physicians of Ontario
Meet The Team
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BRPO President & Co-Lead for the University of Ottawa’s Local Chapter.
Dr. Chantal Phillips is a second-year Public Health and Preventive Medicine resident at the University of Ottawa and President of the Black Resident Physicians of Ontario (BRPO). She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Medical Science from Western University in 2018 and her MD from the University of Toronto in 2023. With a passion for community health research, she managed projects at the Black Health Alliance from 2021 to 2024. Dr. Phillips aims to integrate public health and primary care, focusing on Black youth and mental health/substance use, as a family doctor and leader in innovative programming.
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Co-Lead for the University of Ottawa’s Local Chapter
Dr. Kika Otiono is a second-year resident at University of Ottawa's Division of Urology. During her time in medical school at McMaster University, she was involved in several social justice initiatives, including the working group that championed the Black Equity Stream for future applicants. Dr. Otiono also served as the inaugural Director of Advocacy for the Black Medical Students Association of Canada (BMSAC). Prior to medical training, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Humanities & the Great Books) from Carleton University and her research interests include medical humanities, history of surgery, and urologic care for Black Canadian patients with prostate cancer.
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Co-Lead for the University of Toronto’s Local Chapter
Petra is a second-year resident in Internal Medicine at the University of Toronto. Prior to obtaining her medical degree from the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, she completed three years of undergraduate studies in the life sciences University of Toronto. Petra has a strong interest in both cancer care and obstetric medicine, areas she is passionate about exploring further in her medical career. As a first-generation Ghanaian immigrant, her lived experience fuels her commitment to health equity research, particularly in improving health outcomes for Black patients. Additionally, Petra's own experiences with mentorship have inspired her dedication to guiding and supporting those interested in pursuing a career in healthcare.
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Lead for Western University’s Local Chapter
Dr. Joanna Walters is an internationally trained physician originally from Jamaica. She is currently a second-year Family Medicine resident at Western University. She has a keen interest in GP Oncology, chronic disease management and health advocacy and policy. Contributing to the work towards more equitable health care is a very important part of what she hopes to achieve in her career in medicine. She is looking forward to working with all the members of BRPO in the role of VP Advocacy.
Contact us.
If you are a Black medical resident or clinical fellow in Canada and are not yet connected with our WhatsApp group, we encourage you to reach out to us at info@blackphysicians.ca with your personal information.
For those in Ontario who are not currently on our mailing list, we invite you to fill out this form. By joining our mailing list, you will receive information about ongoing opportunities, upcoming events, and initiatives specifically tailored to support Black medical residents and clinical fellows in Ontario.